Gazipur District Research Articles

Iron removal from red clay using oxalic acid leaching for enhanced ceramic industry applications

This work focused on removing iron with oxalic acid from red clay samples collected from Kapasia Upazila, Gazipur District, Bangladesh. To characterize the red clay, the study employed several techniques: particle size analysis, WDXRF (wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence), AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), and FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy). Additionally, leaching experiments were conducted with varying concentrations of oxalic acid, temperatures and times. After leaching, the red clay composition changed significantly: SiO₂ increased from 53.6 % to 63.13 %, Fe₂O₃ decreased from 17.1 % to 3.64 %, Al₂O₃ remained relatively stable at 18 %–18.22 %, and other oxides showed minor variations. 78.71 % of the iron was removed at optimal leaching conditions (1.0 M oxalic acid, 100 °C, 150 min, and 250 rpm). Mineralogically, the red clay samples are composed of illite, kaolinite, quartz, feldspar, hematite and chlorite. Thermal analysis showed significant weight loss at temperatures between 300 and 600 °C. Ceramic trials were conducted at firing temperatures of 900 °C and 1100 °C to evaluate the mechanical properties of tiles. The results obtained showed significant improvements in red clay quality for ceramics. Being a low-cost and eco-friendly process, this becomes a very prominent alternative to conventional iron removal techniques and helps produce high-quality ceramic tiles, contributing towards economic growth in Bangladesh.

Assessing the impacts of vegetation loss and land surface temperature on Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) in Gazipur District, Bangladesh

Rapid replacement of vegetated land with impermeable land (built-up areas) is a major factor in the increase in Land Surface Temperature (LST), while increased LST worsens the temperature in cities and creates the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) effect. The study aims to measure vegetation loss and Land Surface Temperature of the Gazipur district between 2000 and 2020 and explore the relationship among Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), LST, and Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI). The Landsat TM/OLI images with minimum cloud coverage have been used to derive different indices. The mean NDVI values are 0.21, 0.16, and 0.22 in 2000, 2010, and 2020 respectively which indicates a general improvement in the health of the vegetation. Besides, the highest LST values throughout 20 years, represent a general increasing trend. As a consequence, different land covers have experienced fluctuations in mean temperature. The result shows that the mean temperature of bare land, buildup, vegetation, and waterbody has increased by 4.77, 2.01, 2.25, and 2.23 °C respectively from 2000 to 2020. The strongest SUHI zone’s area grew by about 28% between 2000 and 2020. Additionally, the highest index value of UTFVI was 0.39 in 2000 and grew to 0.43 in 2010. It changed to 0.49 in 2020, or ten years later. Thus, the SUHI effect’s increasing intensity is visible. Also, regression analysis has been used to explore the correlation between the derived indices. Stakeholders from different sectors like urban planners and policymakers may take insights from this study to work to promote greenery for a healthy urban environment.

Molecular investigation of Blastocystis in children and calves in Bangladesh

BackgroundBlastocystis, a widely distributed zoonotic protozoan infecting both humans and numerous animals, remains poorly understood with its potential medical and veterinary significance. This study examined the molecular occurrence and genetic variation of Blastocystis in children and calves in Bangladesh to explore cross-species transmission and disease burden.MethodsIn total, 998 DNA samples were investigated, comprising 299 stool DNA from children and 699 fecal DNA from calves, using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene.ResultsThis study detected Blastocystis in 5.35% of the children and 14.74% of the calves. While slight variations in occurrence rates were observed across different study variables, none were statistically significant. The occurrence was highest among children under 5 years and calves aged 1–3 months. Regarding breed, the Holstein Friesian cross and the Jersey cross exhibited higher rates of infection. Conversely, occurrences were lower among children and calves in Gazipur district. The remaining parameters displayed nearly equivalent percentages of Blastocystis. The subtypes identified in children included ST1, ST3, and ST4, with ST1 comprising 50% of them. ST3 and ST4 were also found in calves, alongside ST10 (55.34%) being the most prevalent. Other subtypes found in calves were ST14, ST21, and ST24–ST26.ConclusionsThis study found that Blastocystis is more common in calves than in children in Bangladesh, with genetic diversity of nine subtypes. The common occurrence of identical variants of two subtypes in both populations suggests potential zoonotic transmission, highlighting the necessity for further molecular investigations and comprehensive measures within the One Health framework to mitigate public health risks.

Socio-Economic Perspective of Milk Producers of District Ghazipur of Uttar Pradesh, India

Socio-economic analysis play crucial role in implementation of any policy. This study, conducted in the Gazipur District of Uttar Pradesh, focuses on the current state of milk production costs. The research employs a descriptive and analytical design, using a survey methodology to categorize cattle owners into small, medium, and large-scale operations based on the number of cattle owned. A total of 10 villages were randomly selected from two blocks, with 150 milk producers chosen for in-depth study from each size category (small, medium, and large). The survey collected data on various demographics, including age, gender, education level, and social categories, as well as detailed information on milk marketing and socioeconomics. Results indicate that out of the 150 respondents, 76 were small-scale farmers, 43 were medium-scale, and 31 were large-scale. The majority of respondents (78%) were male. Economic analysis revealed that small households had an average annual income of Rs. 198,879, medium households Rs. 158,044, and large households Rs. 274,970. Non-farm income was highest for large farms (Rs. 148,140), followed by medium (Rs. 123,024) and small farms. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the economic conditions and marketing practices of milk producers in Gazipur, highlighting key areas for potential improvement and policy intervention.

Molecular identification of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) of tomato at Gazipur district in Bangladesh

Molecular identification of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) of tomato at Gazipur district in Bangladesh

Revisiting the impact of entrepreneurial orientation on SMEs’ organizational performance

This study investigates the impact of five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (risk-taking, proactiveness, innovativeness, aggressiveness, and autonomy), an independent variable, on SMEs’ organizational performance in Bangladesh. The study surveyed 237 SMEs’ owners (out of 300, with a response rate of 79%) in Gazipur district, Bangladesh. Cronbach’s alpha (α) value of 0.70 was used to examine the reliability of the constructs in this study. Drawing from earlier research, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was constructed to assess the links between entrepreneurial orientation and SMEs’ organizational performance. The dependent variable in this study was SMEs’ organizational performance, which was based on business growth, change in number of employees, profitability, and sales growth. The hypotheses were tested using SPSS with a 95% confidence interval. The results suggest that all five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation positively affect the organizational performance of SMEs in Bangladesh. It is evident that proactiveness (β-value = 0.330) has the greatest effect on SMEs’ organizational performance, and competitive aggressiveness has the least effect (β-value = 0.230). The independent variables explain a significant proportion of the variability observed in SMEs’ organizational performance (R2 = 57.4%). The research outcomes offer valuable implications for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and academics. AcknowledgmentThe authors acknowledge the Accounting Research Institute (ARI)-HICoE.

Do Labour Welfare Policies Matter for Workers? Evidence from the Garment Supply Chain Industry in Bangladesh

The paper focusses on workers’ opinions in regard to welfare policies enacted under the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006. The study investigates two questions: Do labour welfare policies under labour law really matter for workers? If so, to what extent are such welfare policies practised in the global garment supply chain industry in Bangladesh? The Binary Logistic Regression technique has been used to assess the opinions of garment workers as to whether their level of satisfaction increases by workers’ welfare facility interventions. The data were collected from compliant and export-oriented factories between July 2021 and August 2021 in three Upazilas-Savar Ashulia (Dhaka District) and Gazipur Sadar (Gazipur District) in Bangladesh. This study demonstrates that overtime facilities, medical facilities, safety measures, restroom facilities, lunchroom facilities, and childcare facilities can play a pivotal role in increasing the satisfaction level of the workers. Given the similar socio-economic and geographical backgrounds, this research can be applied to the garment manufacturing industries of other South Asian countries. It serves as a valuable tool for understanding workers' attitudes and beliefs about welfare provisions. By applying the findings of this study, one can better comprehend the needs of the workers in terms of various labor welfare motivational tools.

Ecological risk assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soil, vegetables and fruits with respect to distance gradient in proximity to lead-acid battery industry

Lead-acid battery industries in Bangladesh have proliferated in urban areas, leading to the release of significant amounts of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and metalloids into the environment. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution, sources, contamination status, and ecological risks in agricultural soils, vegetables, and fruits near these industries. Soil samples were collected from four sites at varying distances (0 m, 100 m, 250 m, and 500 m) around three lead-acid battery industries (AA, AB, and AC) in Dhaka and Gazipur Districts during June-July 2020. The concentrations of the Pb, As, Cd and Zn in agricultural soils were ranged between 8.40–116.61, 8.99–28.21, 0.03–1.28, and 25.38–68.72 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Pb, As, and Cd were found to be considerably higher than background levels across all industries, with a gradual decrease in PTE concentrations from 0 m to 500 m. The contamination factor indicated high to moderate contamination in agricultural soils by As, Cd, and Pb, and low contamination by Zn. pollution load index, modified contamination degree, and nemerow comprehensive index revealed varying pollution levels in the vicinity of the industries, with AA and AB showing higher pollution compared to AC. The individual risk factors demonstrated significant risks associated with Cd and As exposure, while Pb and Zn posed lower risks. The potential ecological risk index indicated considerable ecological risk for AA (risk index = 192.41), moderate risk for AB (risk index = 111.80), AC (risk index = 65.08), respectively. Correlation and principal component analysis revealed strong positive associations (p < 0.01) among the chemical parameters and potentially toxic elements in soils, and demonstrated the lead-acid battery industry as the primary contamination source in the studied areas. There were strong positive relationships (p < 0.01) existed between As, Cd, and Zn in soils and vegetables; while a strong negative association found between As in soils with As in Fruits. The cluster analysis showed EC, OC, OM, Pb, As and Zn into separate group, implied their same source of origin as anthropogenic source. The metal uptake was in the decreasing order of Cd > Zn > As > Pb and Cd > Zn > Pb > As in vegetable and fruit samples, respectively and transfer factor analysis highlighted Cd and Zn as metals with higher absorption rates in vegetables and fruits. Among the industries, AA and AB were significantly impacted on soil quality, and considerable metal accumulation found on vegetables. The human health risk assessment results indicate a potential noncarcinogenic health hazard for the populations surrounding the industries (AA, AB, and AC). This is evidenced by the calculation of the total target hazard quotient and the hazard index, both of which exceeded the acceptable level (>1). However, the carcinogenic health risks arising from the consumption of potentially toxic elements are within threshold values. This study provides crucial insights into the environmental as well as health impact of lead-acid battery industries, emphasizing the urgency of implementing effective environmental management practices to mitigate their consequences.

Physicochemical parameters and heavy metal in surface water in Central Bangladesh

Pollution of surface water and heavy metals is one of the growing concerns worldwide due to industrialization and unplanned urbanization. The surface water pollution level was studied by assessing the physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentration of collected samples in Gazipur district. Maximum average temperature(35.200C±2.63), EC(1423µs/cm), and TDS(746.5mg/l) were observed in Kaliakoir upazila. These parameters were found minimum in Kapasia upazila. DO was found above 5mg/l in Sreepur, Kapasia and Kaliganj. Cr and Ni were too low to detect by the instrument. The maximum average concentration of Pb(925.6917µg/l), Mn(477.8625µg/l), and Na(11230.17µg/l) was observed in Kaliakoir upazila. However, no Fe was observed in Kaliakoir upazila. The maximum Fe concentration was Sreepur upazila (3531.6µg/l) followed by Sadar (1496.517µg/l) upazila. Maximum average Cd concentration was observed in Kapasia (41.28µg/l) followed by Kaliakoir (30.8767µg/l), Sadar (29.4283µg/l) and Sreepur (28.8042µg/l). Cu concentration was found maximum in Kaliganj (14.205µg/l) followed by Sadar (6.29µg/l) and Kaliakoir (3.893µg/l). However, Cu concentration was found nil in Kapasia. The maximum average concentration of Ca(29197.25µg/l) and Mg(8142.833µg/l) was observed in Kaliganj and the minimum concentration was observed in Sreepur upazila. The order of concentration of heavy metals in the study area is Ca>Na>Mg>Fe>Pb>Mn>Cd>Cu>Ni>Cr. From the findings, the physicochemical parameters of the surface water sources were found higher than the standards in most of the samples.

Seroprevalence and molecular detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) in commercial chicken in Gazipur district of Bangladesh

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is one of the major diseases of chickens that cause great economic losses in commercial chicken farms. It is caused by the infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV). This research work was designed to investigate the seroprevalence of ILTV in commercial chicken farms in Gazipur district. A total of 590 blood sera were collected randomly from commercial chicken farms from different locations in Gazipur district. An antigen-coated indirect ELISA was performed to determine the antibody titer against ILTV in these sera. Moreover, gross and histopathological changes in different organs were investigated. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a molecular detection method, was performed to detect the fragment of the glycoprotein ‘C’ (gC) gene of ILTV in the infected chicken. Overall, 195 out of 590 serum samples were positive for anti-ILTV IgG, representing 33.05% of positive cases. The highest mean titer of ILTV antibody was found in anti-ILTV-vaccinated layer chickens with a mean titer of 3554. In seasonal variation, the highest prevalence of ILTV was recorded during the winter, followed by the rainy and summer seasons. The prevalence of ILTV was the highest at the age of 10-30 weeks in layer chickens. Necropsy findings of dead chickens showed severe congestion and fibrosis in the lungs and trachea, with occlusion of the tracheal lumen by mucus, caseous exudates and blood. Microscopically, hemorrhage and huge infiltrations of inflammatory cells were found in trachea and lungs. Moreover, the nucleotide sequence of ‘gC’ gene of ILTV was amplified successfully and yielded 1.26 kbp amplicons. This study suggested that ILTV was endemic in Gazipur district and the PCR technique is a useful molecular tool for diagnosis of ILTV in the commercial chicken industry. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2023) 27 (1): 121-135

Use of social media by the farmers in Gazipur district of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has embraced digitalization to the point where social media has become an essential tool for communication among all sectors of people, including agriculture. The current study was, therefore, attempted to ascertain the extent of use of various social media platforms by the farmers. The study was conducted in two Upazilas viz. Sreepur and Gazipur Sadar Upazila of Gazipur district. A total of 100 farmers were selected as a sample of the study following a proportionate random sampling technique. Four-fifths (80.0%) of them had poor to moderate knowledge of social media use. Among the digital social media, Knowledge on smartphones ranked first. The use of different social media by the majority (84.0%) of respondents was impressive, where 33.0 percent had low use and 51.0 percent moderate. Watching the Hridoye Mati O Manshu program on Facebook / YouTube ranked 1st position for using agricultural purposes. In the case of non-agricultural purposes, the use of Messenger / Imo / WhatsApp to communicate with relatives/friends ranked in 1st position. Moreover, around half of the respondents (51.0%) preferred Facebook among other social media due to its multidimensional usage. The majority of the respondents showed as moderate users (4-9 years) of different social media using experiences. The vital preference of using social media is to communicate with others, followed by 'entertainment' and 'ease of handling'. Level of education, farm size, and annual income showed a positive significant relationship with the extent of use of different social media by the farmers, while age and farming experience indicated a negative significant relationship. 'Network problems', 'load shedding', 'high cost', 'poor Wi- Fi' service, and 'addiction to overuse of social media' were some of the major problems identified by the respondents in using social media. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2023) 27 (1): 105-120

Infant and Young Child Feeding Practice among Mothers in Rural Areas of Gazipur District, Bangladesh

A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among 599 mothers who had at least one child aged 0–23-month to determine infant and young child feeding practice (IYCF) in rural areas of Bangladesh. The study was conducted between November 2019 and March 2020 in rural areas of Gazipur district. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Out of 599 respondents, the majority (62.93%) were in the 21-30 years age-group. Only 6.67% were illiterate and the rest of the respondents were literate with different levels of education. About one third (33.38%) of the respondents had monthly income between BDT 5001- 15000. 27% of the mothers could not give colostrum to the babies; half of them (50%) mentioned that baby could not suck well, while 43.83% mentioned being advised by the elders (not to give colostrum) and 6.17% mentioned their own illness. Pre-lacteal feeding practice was observed among 27% mothers and common pre-lacteal food was honey (61.25%), sugar water (35.63%) and animal milk (4.32%). Breastfeeding was initiated within the first hour of birth among 73.29% of mothers. 53.26% percent of mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Difficulties faced by mothers for EBF are insufficient secretion of breast milk (46.42%), not having knowledge about EBF (42.51%), and mother’s illness (11.07%). Most of the mothers (81.63%) gave complementary feeding in the correct time (6 months) and predominant complementary food was Khichuri (51.91%); however, most of them (60.77%) gave complementary food ≤3 times in a day. Our data suggests that the practice of IYCF was not optimum among the rural mothers. To improve this condition, it is necessary to motivate mothers through proper health education about the positive impacts of IYCF on child health. CBMJ 2024 January: vol. 13 no. 01 P: 28-34

EFFICIENCY OF CAULIFLOWER CULTIVATION IN A SELECTED AREA OF BANGLADESH

Cauliflower, a pivotal winter crop, is cultivated widely in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to assess the socioeconomic characteristics and to explore the farmers’ efficiency of cauliflower production in Gazipur district of Bangladesh by applying the stochastic production frontier approach. Primary data were collected through a field survey of 60 cauliflower farmers from January to March 2023, using a semi-structured interview schedule. The major findings of this study revealed that 95% of the respondents were aged between 30 and 64 years; 48.33% of households had a small family size; and 86.67% of the respondents’ primary occupation was agriculture. Cauliflower production was profitable. Per hectare total cost, total return, gross margin, net return, and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) were Tk. 286112, 386250, 138218, 100138, and 1.35, respectively. The mean farmer's technical efficiency was 90%, which implies that the household cultivating the cauliflower can increase revenue by 10% at a given level of resources. Cauliflower farmers complained of a lack of quality seed, the high price of quality seed, natural calamities, and attacks of pests and diseases. Cauliflower is one of the important vegetable crops grown by farmers, mainly to generate household income. The study area has tremendous potential for cauliflower production.

Water quality and the presence of metals in crustaceans (Sartoriana spinigera) and mollusks (Pila globosa) close to an urban waste landfill in Kodda at Gazipur

Degradation of water and sediment quality along with other aquatic ecosystem components, due to urban waste is a significant concern that demands attention. Despite of the multifaceted use of the Konabari area within the Gazipur City Corporation of Bangladesh, limited studies have assessed the health of the floodplain ecosystem adjacent to urban waste landfills in Kodda. This research focuses on evaluating water quality parameters and the presence of metals and metalloids in water, sediment, and biota (invertebrates) in the lowland floodplain near the Kodda municipal landfill in Gazipur district. In December 2022, thirteen composite samples, including water, sediment, crustaceans (Sartoriana spinigera), and mollusks (Pila globosa), were collected from the designated sampling site. Surface and sub-surface (0–15 cm depth) water were collected using a water sampler for water quality analysis, and the presence of heavy metal and metalloid content of the water, sediment, crabs, and mollusks were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The results indicated dissolved oxygen concentrations ranging from 0.30 to 5.81 mg/l (mean 3.1±2.37 mg/l). Certain locations directly affected by waste discharge exhibited alarmingly low dissolved oxygen levels (~0.71 mg/l), coupled with elevated temperatures and phosphate (PO43−) content (2–7.4 mg/l). The scarcity of heavy metal concentrations (&lt;0.0677 mg/l) in water may be attributed to the constant flow of water preventing metal accumulation in the flowing water. However, sediment analysis revealed significantly higher concentrations (mean±Sd) of Fe (15240±1211 mg/kg), Mn (1122±180 mg/kg), Cu (44±5.5 mg/kg), Cr (28±3.2 mg/kg), Ni (39±2.4 mg/kg), As (3.7±0.89 mg/kg), and Zn (72±3.95 mg/kg) compared to other studies in various locations. Crustacean (Crab) samples showed concentrations of Cr, As, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu exceeding recommended permissible limits. Pila globosa emerged as an effective ecological bioindicator of aquatic pollution, with concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pd exceeding recommended limits. Despite eco-environmental indices suggesting low to moderate contamination, the heavy metals and metalloids study indicated degradation of ecosystem health triggered by urban waste discharge. Consequently, the study recommends proper waste treatment in landfills and their transformation from open dumps to scientifically managed controlled waste landfills. Ann. Bangaldesh Agric. 27(2):175-189

Organic acid fractionation of hardwoods planted in social forestry

Abstract Trema orientalis and Trewia nudiflora are the fastest rotation trees (3–4 years’ rotation) in Bangladesh, and experimentally planted in social forestry in Gazipur district. Biorefinery is the most cited topic in research recent era in order to established circular bioeconomy. In established a biorefinery initiative, both species were fractionated into pulp, lignin and hemicellulose by formic acid (FA) treatment at atmospheric conditions. After alkaline peroxide bleaching of FA treated pulp, the yield was 47.0 % and 41.0 % with α-cellulose of 82.39 % and 81.61 %, and residual pentosan content of 9.26 % and 11.13 % for T. orientalis and T. nudiflora, respectively. The brightness of the pulps was 84.5 % and 85.0 %. Cold alkali extraction of the bleached pulp increased α-cellulose to 92.36 % and 91.29 % which was suitable for cellulose derivatives. Lignin was separated from the spent liquor by adding water. The FA lignin from hardwood replaced 20 % phenol in phenol-formaldehyde resin preparation without sacrifice of shear strength. The lignin separated FA liquor contains mainly pentose sugars, which was subsequently converted to furfural with a yield of 41.39 % and 41.72 % at 170 °C using 0.1 % H2SO4 catalyst from T. orientalis and T. nudiflora, respectively.

Antibiotic sensitivity of the bacteria isolated from pangas (Pangasius hypophthalmus) fish of the retail fish market of Gazipur, Bangladesh

Food safety associated with microbiological quality has become a critical issue worldwide. The current study was undertaken to detect the health hazard microbes (Total plate count, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and other pathogenic bacteria) in pangas fish and their sensitivity against the antibiotic. Fresh pangas fish were collected from different fish markets in Gazipur (Chowrasta, Shimultoli and Joydebpur fish market) district of Bangladesh. Total plate count (TPC) of bacteria, E. coli, other pathogenic bacteria and presence/absence test of Salmonella and V. cholerae were tested and the antibiotic resistance pattern of isolated bacteria was observed. The highest TPC was 5.22 log10 CFU/g from Chowrasta fish market and the lowest was 4.795 log10 CFU/g from Shimultoli fish market. Escherichia coli ranged from 2 log10 CFU/g (Chowrasta fish market) to 2.698 log10 CFU/g (Shimultoli fish market). No Salmonella and V. cholerae were found, E. coli was found in eight samples, Leclercia adecarboxylata (accession no. MN625850, MN625851) was found in five samples, and Aeromonas caviae (accession no.MN625853) were found in eight samples. Escherichia coli was found in pangas fish collected from all markets, ranges were 2 log10 CFU/g (Chowrasta fish market) to 2.698 log10 CFU/g (Shimultoli fish market) and all of them were within the range of acceptable limit. Seven antibiotics, namely ampicillin (25 µg/disc), gentamycin (10 µg/disc), chloramphenicol (10 µg/disc), oxytetracycline (30 µg/ disc), nitrofurantoin (300 µg/ disc), levofloxacin (5 µg/ disc), and ciprofloxacin (5 µg/disc) were used for antibiotic resistance testing. Isolated bacteria mostly showed resistance toward ampicillin, and only two isolates showed resistance to nitrofurantoin and oxytetracycline. The highest sensitivity showed for ciprofloxacin. The results of the study indicated that pathogenic bacteria present in retail pangas fish, and some are resistant to antibiotics and consumers in Bangladesh are at risk for food safety. If proper handling is not followed, fish farmers and people could face additional disease challenges due to the development of resistant bacterial strains.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) In Garment Design: Opportunities And Challenges In The Ready-made Garments (RMG) Sector of Bangladesh

This study looks at the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence (AI) in planning ready-made garments in Bangladesh's Gazipur district, where the garment industry is booming. Twenty designers from different institutions using AI and traditional software tools to create attires were involved in the study. The results show that applying AI to the field comes with both opportunities and challenges. AI has made garment creation more efficient, less expensive, more productive, more customizable, better at predicting trends, and more sustainable. However, it raises issues such as job loss, quality control, data privacy, dependence on technology, and ethical questions. This study shows how important it is to take a balanced approach to adopting AI, considering its possible benefits while addressing its risks, so that Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry can continue to grow and thrive.

Variations in ecosystem service value in response to land use changes in Dhaka and Gazipur Districts of Bangladesh

Urban sprawl is a global phenomenon that has resulted in a substantial impact on ecosystem services. This study assessed how land use changes have affected the ecosystem services in Dhaka and Gazipur districts, two important economic centers of Bangladesh. This study analyzed changes in land use categories and their effects on ecosystem services during a thirty-year period, from 1990 to 2020, using LandSat data and published coefficient values. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was undertaken to evaluate the ramifications of altering these coefficients on the resultant estimated values. The study revealed that in both Dhaka and Gazipur districts, the expansion of settlement areas and the reduction in tree vegetation cover have led to a significant decline in the overall value of ecosystem services. Over a 30-year timeframe, Gazipur experienced a more substantial loss in tree vegetation cover compared to Dhaka, whereas Dhaka witnessed a greater increase in settlement areas than Gazipur. Remarkably, during the most recent decade (2010–2020), the Gazipur district encountered heightened urban expansion and a more significant reduction in tree vegetation compared to Dhaka. The loss of the entire ecosystem service value was significant, amounting to USD 206.24 million for Dhaka and USD 381.27 million for Gazipur. This loss was primarily attributed to the decline in agricultural land, water bodies, rivers, and a reduction in tree vegetation. The study recommends that a more responsible land-use plan be created to protect tree vegetation, sustainable agriculture, and water bodies, which have the highest ecosystem service value in the study area. Overall, this study highlights the need for sustainable land-use techniques and offers insightful information about how urbanization affects ecosystem services in the investigated areas.

Production performance, breeding practices and challenges of Holstein-Local crossbred cattle in some selected areas of Bangladesh

The aim of this study was to investigate productive and reproductive performances, current cattle breeding practices and its associated problems in different Holstein-Local (HF×L) crossbred genotypes under existing management condition of Bangladesh. Data on HF×L crossbred dairy cows were collected from the selected farmers of Natore, Sirajganj, Kishoreganj, Tangail and Gazipur districts while breeding bulls’ information were collected from different cattle breeding service providers. Genotype had significant effects on weight at first heat (WFH), mature body weight (MBW), age at first heat (AFH), age at first calving (AFC), post-partum heat period (PPHP), daily milk yield (DMY) and peak milk yield (PMY) (P&lt;0.05) except the traits birth weight (BW) and service per conception (SPC). The HF75%×L25% crossbreds had significantly better AFH and AFC (P&lt;0.001) than the three genetic groups having 50%, 62.5% and &gt;75% HF inheritance. The highest DMY was found in &gt;HF75%×L&lt;25% (12.80±0.72 liters) and was lowest in HF50%×L50% (5.34±0.65 liters) crossbreds. At present 11 different graded breeding bulls have been used in artificial insemination (AI) program of Bangladesh. Use of heterogeneous breeding bulls (72.9%), AI technicians depended bull’s genotype selection (63%), absence of breeding data recording (89%) system and local market-based cow purchasing (83%) with unknown pedigree information were the major challenges identified for crossbred cattle development. Among the investigated samples, 27% cows suffered from various reproductive disorders like dystocia, low conception rate, abortion and retention of placenta. In conclusion, this study provides baseline information on actual production and reproduction potentials of different graded HF×L cows at farmers’ level and the associated limiting factors for crossbred cattle development in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 52 (3): 69-77.

RESPONSES OF RMG PRODUCERS IN BANGLADESH TO MULTINATIONAL BUYERS DEMAND DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The COVID-19 pandemic affected Bangladesh RMG sectors negatively and the sector producers have undertaken policy and action plans to overcome the setbacks to survive and sustain in the wake of declining buyers’ demands. Drastic fall of demand, order cancelation, reduction of the number of orders, payment holding up, order price fall, etc. were the effects that sharply declined the RMG situations. The study found that mainly two policies were taken by the RMG owners to handle the crises. They are the Cost reduction policy and the new market search policy. Under such policies, many action measures were taken. Besides, governmental support helped a lot. All these actions at last ended up with the survival of many firms. Till now they are struggling with the crises. Mixed-form research methods have been applied in the study. The study was confined in the Gazipur district of Bangladesh and 20 firms working there were the sample. Further study needs to be done to know about the scenario and effects in detail.